A CAREER IN NURSING

Deciding on a career is no small thing.  A career in nursing comes with its own challenges and rewards.  The same as a patient evaluates where they are to receive their medical care, a nurse must choose a nursing career that best fits their life and goals.  Nursing has a broad spectrum of possibilities and settings.  When deciding the path that it right for you, one must evaluate skill sets, professional goals and personality traits that affect their decision.

Do you want to see the world and become a travel nurse, or do you want to stay close to home and work in a local hospital, clinic, nursing home, school, or maybe public health?  Maybe you want to work with the elderly, pediatrics, or have a passion for the disabled.  Nursing has many options to get you started on the path that is right for you.

The following is a break-down of careers and career paths that can help you understand entry level to more advanced healthcare careers:

Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA – Ten Week Course towards State Licensure)

Becoming a CNA is an entry level certification that allows the participant to obtain employment in a variety of settings. CNAs are also referred to as health aides, nurses’ aides, personal care assistants and patient care technicians. CNAs work in variety of settings including but not limited to hospitals, nursing homes, adult day care centers, and assisted living facilities. CNAs can also be hired to work private duty in homes and other settings.

CNA’s work under the direction of the Registered Nurse at completing tasks such as: Bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding, catheter care and maintenance, assistance with ambulation, monitoring and obtaining vital signs, assistance with physical therapy activities, answering call lights, turning & repositioning patients, making beds, organizing rooms, post-mortem care, communication and documentation.The work of a CNA is challenging and very rewarding, often times a bond develops between the CNA and the patients they care for. The CNA is key to providing patients comfort and quality care.

Practical Nursing (LPN)

A Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse is the primary level of industry licensure. PN education is highly skills based and students whom complete the program work within a limited scope of practice. The LPN will have training for entry level into specific fields of nursing. LPNs are typically hired in physician’s offices, clinics, long-term care facilities and rehab facilities, although other opportunities exist.

The LPN works under the supervision of the Registered Nurse to provide care to their patients. The LPN works as supporting staff to physicians, surgeons, and therapists. The LPN will assist in obtaining vital signs, administering medications, caring for patient needs, wound dressing changes, administration of ice/hot packs, feeding of patients, performing routine tests, limited patient assessments under the supervision of the Registered Nurse and proper communication and documentation. The work of the Registered Nurse and the Licensed Practical Nurse are very similar with the exception of decision making ability. LPN’s may find that working as an LPN is merely a stepping stone to obtaining the higher degree of Registered Nurse, while reaping the benefits of tuition reimbursement and valuable clinical and knowledge base. At the End of the 10 month program the student is eligible to register for the NCLEX-PN.

LPN to RN

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is eligible to apply to the LPN to RN program that allows the student to complete their coursework in two semesters. The LPN brings their experience and desire to grow in the profession of nursing. This program is the stepping stone for LPN nursing career advancement.

Pre-Nursing (Natural Science ADN Prerequisites)

The Natural Science Pre-Nursing Track is designed as the first step towards an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and provides a well-defined path that a student may follow to achieve the Associate Degree in Nursing application prerequisites. The program curriculum provides a solid foundation in the natural sciences which support the variety of academic pathways to healthcare professions. These classes are your foundation for Nursing, but are often the inspiration to pursue a new healthcare major. A student who applies to the Natural Science Pre-Nursing Track will complete the prerequisites needed for the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, or they may use the earned credits to continue on their path to toward an Associate Degree in Natural Science.

Nursing (ADN)

The Associate Degree is the first degree criteria associated with Registered Nursing (RN). The ADN option is a good options for those looking to enter Nursing with financial and time constraints. The biggest bonus to obtaining an ADN degree is that the nurse will be able to begin working while obtaining a higher degree such as the Bachelors of Nursing Degree (BSN). Hiring of the ADN is highly varied and is almost always dependent on the industries current need for nursing personnel. It is always a good idea to reach out the hospital or location of your interest and obtain what level of nursing they are currently hiring.

The responsibilities of the Registered Nurse are vast and more detailed than any one list could cover, basic tasks include: Patient care, medication administration, development of patient care plans and assessments, patient equipment, supervision of LPN and CNA staff, communication and implementation of physician orders, staff and student education, community education, determination of patient care needs, nursing administration, proper communication and documentation. As the LPN is the stepping stone for ADN, the ADN is the stepping stone to the BSN. At the end of the two-year ADN program the student is eligible to register for the NCLEX-RN.